Induction of leukochemotaxis, primary skin inflammation and local Shwartzman reaction by Neisseria gonorrhoeae extract.
The leukochemotactic activity of ultrasonicate of the N. gonorrhoeae strain 8551 was studied by in vitro and in vivo experiments. No chemotactic activity was observed with extract incubated in Gey's solution alone or with heat-inactivated rabbit serum. Activity attracting polymorphonuclear cells was generated on injection of the extract into chambers implanted subcutaneously in rabbits, and in vitro when incubated with fresh rabbit serum, normal guinea pig serum or serum deficient in C4. Chemotactic activity was not observed on incubation with mouse serum deficient in C5. The extract showed pronounced activity in the preparing of rabbits for the local Shwartzman reaction and in inducing primary skin inflammatory reaction. Gonococci this contain chemotaxigens that induce chemotaxin production by means of complement activation via the alternative pathway, and these or other components initiate strong inflammatory responses in vivo.
D000818:Animals; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000209:etiology*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000276:immunology*; D011817:Rabbits; D012790:Shwartzman Phenomenon / Q000209:etiology*
D003165:Complement System Proteins